Police charged Mangelli with stabbing the victim in the back with a knife at the Merrick Cinemas. Officials did not offer a motive.
The incident occurred at 1:55 a.m. outside the theater. After allegedly stabbing the victim, Mangelli drove off, but police apprehended him soon after at home. He was charged with felony assault in the first degree and two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned on July 28, when bail was set at $10,000 bond, $5,000 cash.
The alleged victim, who suffered a stab wound in the back, a punctured lung, abdominal bleeding and an injury in his diaphragm, was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was admitted into surgery. He was listed in stable condition at press time.
Mangelli retained the services of a legal aid lawyer and was out on bail at press time. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in court.
